"No, sir, not now." And then Luke gave particulars of the good fortune of the family in having secured a profitable boarder, and, furthermore, in obtaining for himself profitable employment.
"This Mr. Reed seems to be a kind-hearted and liberal man. I am glad for your sake. I sympathize with poor boys. Can you guess the reason?"
"Were you a poor boy yourself, sir?"
"I was, and a very poor boy. When I was a boy of thirteen and fourteen I ran around in overalls and bare-footed. But I don't think it did me any harm," the old man added, musingly. "It kept me from squandering money on foolish pleasures, for I had none to spend; it made me industrious and self-reliant, and when I obtained employment it made me anxious to please my employer."
"I hope it will have the same effect on me, sir."
"I hope so, and I think so. What sort of a boy is this son of Mr. Duncan?"
"If his father were not a rich man, I think he would be more agreeable. As it is, he seems to have a high idea of his own importance."
"So his father has the reputation of being a rich man, eh?"
"Yes, sir. We have always considered him so."
"Without knowing much about it?"